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Two Indicators: Inside the Fed, then and now

A lot of the time, economic policy can seem pretty impersonal — cold, hard, data-driven. But at the heart of the Federal Reserve are people: fallible, complicated people who are just doing their best to steer the economy in the right direction.

Often, we remember them just for their economic decisions. But today, we're airing two episodes from our daily economics show The Indicator that profile the people inside the Fed. First, we're heading back to the 1970s to revisit Arthur Burns' oft-criticized stint as Fed chair. Next, we have a conversation with Mary Daly, the current president of the San Francisco Fed, about her remarkable path from high school dropout to one of the most important economic voices in the nation.

These two Indicator episodes were originally produced by Viet Le and Brittany Cronin. They were fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and Dylan Sloan and edited by Kate Concannon. The Planet Money version was produced by Dylan Sloan, engineered by Josh Newell and edited by Dave Blanchard.

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Inside a bank run

Sometimes you hear these stories about an airplane that suddenly nosedives. Everyone onboard thinks this is it, and then the plane levels out and everything is fine. For about 72 hours, people and companies that had deposited millions of dollars at the Silicon Valley Bank — many of whom were in the tech industry — thought they had lost absolutely everything to a bank collapse.

Two weeks later, the situation at Silicon Valley Bank has leveled off. The FDIC seized the bank and eventually made all of its depositors whole. But to understand what that financial panic felt like, we retrace the Silicon Valley Bank run and eventual collapse. We hear from four people who were part of the bank run — when they realized early rumblings, what it felt like in the full stampede, what hard decisions they faced, and what the aftermath felt like. And along the way, we uncover the lessons you can only learn when you think the entire world is ending.

This episode was reported by Kenny Malone, produced by Alyssa Jeong Perry with help from Dave Blanchard, engineered by Brian Jarboe, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and edited by Jess Jiang.

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The secret entrance that sidesteps Hollywood picket lines

Across Hollywood right now, writers and actors are picketing in front of studio lots. They're walking back and forth, holding up signs demanding concessions on things like pay, how many writers work on projects, and the use of AI in TV and movies.

But, on some of these lots, there are these strange alternate entrances where there are no picketers. Here drivers can come and go as they please without ever encountering any sign of a strike.

Behold the neutral gate. An entrance intended for people who work at these lots but don't work for production companies that are involved with these particular strikes. (Usually that means things like game shows or TV commercials.)

But, as one group of picketers recently experienced, it's hard to know if these entrances are, in fact, only being used by neutral parties or if the entrances might be being abused.

On today's episode, the question of whether one Hollywood production was taking advantage of the neutral gate, and what the fight over a driveway can teach us about the broader labor battles in Hollywood and across the country.

This episode was hosted by Dave Blanchard and Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi, with reporting from Kenny Malone. It was produced by James Sneed and engineered by James Willetts. It was fact checked by Sierra Juarez and edited by Keith Romer. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

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Inside video game economics (Two Indicators)

Why do video game workers offer labor at a discount? How can you design a video game for blind and sighted players? Does that design have lessons for other industries?

These and other questions about the business of video games answered in todays episode. The Indicator just wrapped a weeklong series decoding the economics of the video game industry, we're excerpting some highlights.

First, we meet some of the workers who are struggling with the heavy demands placed on them in their booming industry, and how they are fighting back.

Then, we check in on how game developers are pulling in new audiences by creatively designing for people who couldn't always play. How has accessibility become an increasingly important priority for game developers? And, how can more players join in the fun?

You can hear the rest of our weeklong series on the gaming industry at this link, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode was hosted by Wailin Wong, Darian Woods, and Adrian Ma. Corey Bridges produced this episode with help from James Sneed. It was edited by Kate Concannon, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and engineered by Robert Rodriguez with help from Valentina Rodríguez Sánchez. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.

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Rooftop solar's dark side

4.5 million households in the U.S. have solar panels on their homes. Most of those customers are happy with it - their electricity bills have just about disappeared, and it's great for the planet. But thousands and thousands of people are really disappointed with what they've been sold. Their panels are more expensive than they should be, and they say it is hard to get someone to come fix them when they break.

It turns out this sometimes crummy customer experience is no accident. It ties back to how big, national solar companies built their businesses in the first place. To entice people to install expensive solar panels, companies developed new financing models which cut upfront costs for customers. And they deployed lots and lots of salespeople to grow their businesses. But in the drive to get more households installing solar panels, consumer costs went up and the focus seemed to shift away from making sure those panels actually worked. All of this left some consumers feeling like they've been sold a lie.

On today's episode, we look into how the residential solar business model has turned some people sour on solar. And we'll try to figure out where the industry could go from here.

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Summer School 4: Banker vs president and the birth of the dollar

Episodes each Wednesday through labor day. Find all the episodes from this season here. And past seasons here. And follow along on TikTok here for video Summer School.

Planet Money Summer School has arrived at the birth of the United States and the chance to set up a whole new economy from scratch. Should there be a centralized bank? Should there be a single currency? We'll travel to two moments in the country's early history when the founders said "nope" to these questions and see what happened.

First we'll witness one of the great economic battles in U.S. history – the president of the United States versus the president of the Bank of the United States – and see how the outcome ushered in an age of financial panics. Then we'll drop in on a time before the U.S. dollar existed as we know it, when you could buy things using one of about 8,000 forms of money circulating in the country. We watch as the Civil War leads to the first standard currency. Along the way, we'll learn why the cycle of economic booms and busts persists to today despite efforts to centralize America's economy throughout history.

This episode was edited by Planet Money Executive Producer Alex Goldmark and fact-checked by Sofia Shchukina.

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Bingo! (Presidential debate edition)

Campaigns can be a jargony slog. And this year, we are seeing a lot of economic terms being thrown around, many of which... aren't entirely straightforward.

In this episode, we try to make the mess of words that accompany a presidential campaign into something a little less exhausting: A game of bingo.

Follow along as we dig into five terms that we expect to hear in the upcoming presidential debate, along with some others we hope to hear.

You can play along, too, at npr.org/bingo. Play online or print cards to play with friends on debate night!

This episode was hosted by Nick Fountain and Erika Beras. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler with help from Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Meg Cramer. It was fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.

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What markets bet President Trump will do

On the day after the election, Wall Street responded in a dramatic way. Some stocks went way up, others went way down. By reading those signals — by breaking down what people were buying and what they were selling — you can learn a lot about where the economy might be headed. Or at least, where people are willing to bet the economy is headed.

On today's show, we decode what Wall Street thinks about the next Trump presidency — what it means for different parts of the economy, and what it means for everyone. Does the wisdom of the market think President Trump will actually impose new tariffs and lift regulations? What about taxes and spending? And will inflation ultimately go up or down?

What markets bet President Trump will do. That's today's episode.

This episode was hosted by Jeff Guo, Sally Helm, Erika Beras, and Keith Romer. It was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and Willa Rubin. It was edited by Martina Castro and fact-checked by Sierra Juarez. Engineering by Gilly Moon. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.

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Sideliners

Athletes get all the glory, but there are countless people around them making the games happen– from referees making judgments, to vendors in the stands hawking snacks and beer. In this episode, we're talking to people on the sidelines.

If you want to leave the StoryCorps Podcast a voicemail, call us at 702-706-TALK. Or email us at podcast@storycorps.org.

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Sense of Place: Step inside Denver's famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Denver's iconic outdoor venue comes with a unique set of challenges.

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Exemplar of excellence: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar receives the UC Presidential Medal

The larger-than-life UCLA alum, who brought the Bruins and Lakers glory on the court, is honored for his transformative work off of it.




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Finland’s President to present scholarships and have discussions with U of T experts

Toronto, ON — On Friday, October 10, the University of Toronto will host a visit by His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland. The President will present scholarships to Finnish Studies students and participate in two separate discussions with University of Toronto experts. The first discussion, “The Future of Finnish Studies in […]




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Finland’s President to present scholarships and have discussions with U of T experts 

TORONTO, ON — On Friday, October 10, the University of Toronto will host a visit by His Excellency Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland. The President will present scholarships to Finnish Studies students and participate in two separate discussions with University of Toronto experts. The first discussion, “The Future of Finnish Studies in […]




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“We have a responsibility to take decisive action on climate change”: University of Toronto president - Meric Gertler announces climate change challenge, new investing strategy

Meric Gertler announces climate change challenge, new investing strategy Toronto, ON — University of Toronto President Meric Gertler today unveiled a 14-point plan of specific, targeted actions that aim to make a difference on climate change now. Gertler outlined U of T’s plan to battle climate change in a bold report, Beyond Divestment: Taking Decisive […]




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Researchers Uncover Extensive Twitter-based Cyber Espionage Campaign Targeting UAE Dissidents, Journalists

Toronto, ON – A new report from the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab reveals a sophisticated international cyber-espionage campaign targeting journalists and activists whose work concerns the United Arab Emirates. The campaign used elaborate ruses, including fake organizations and journalists, to engage targets online, then entice them to open malicious files and links containing malware capable […]




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David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights selects John Norris as Constitutional-Litigator-in-Residence

TORONTO, ON — The Faculty of Law’s David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights is pleased to announce that distinguished criminal defence and civil rights advocate John Norris is the Asper Centre’s Constitutional-Litigator-in-Residence for fall 2013. Norris, a Toronto-based criminal defence lawyer, will teach constitutional advocacy in the Asper Centre clinic. Drawing upon his extensive experience […]




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Money Is Good, but Skills Are Better: 5 Side Hustles That Can Make You Better at Your Day Job

When you think of the value a side hustle can bring to your life, what comes to mind? If one of your first thoughts is "making extra money," you're not wrong. Starting a side gig is a great way to bring in extra income during your time away from your primary job. But you might also want to consider how the right side hustle can make you better and more ...




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How to Build a Side Hustle When You Have No Idea Where to Start

There's a good chance you know someone who works a day job and also spends part of their free time working on a side hustle. In fact, according to a survey commissioned by Vistaprint, 27 percent of Americans have already turned their hobbies into side businesses, and 55 percent of us would like to make the same move. Side hustles are a great way to make extra cash, but getting one ...




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Inside the Expanding Applications of Vision Measurement Systems in Automotive Manufacturing

Traditional measurement methods struggle with complex geometries and modern plastic parts. Advanced vision measuring systems offer advantages for automotive manufacturers, but traditional tools are still preferable in some areas.




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Materials Testing: Inside the Vascular Labyrinth

Catheters are used for various medical procedures, including addressing issues in a person's arterial network and urological conditions. They also deliver medical devices and treat conditions such as clogged arteries and irregular heartbeats. Testing for catheters includes tensile testing, lubricity testing, and usability/trackability testing.





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President Obama Announces New Public-Private Manufacturing Innovation Institute

The President announced new steps with the private sector to strengthen the manufacturing sector, boost advanced manufacturing, and attract the good paying jobs that a growing middle class requires.




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Key Considerations When Selecting a Machine Vision Lens

In this article we survey key considerations when making a lens selection. Of course, your lensing professional will be happy to advise – but they’ll ask you some of these questions anyway, so it’s helpful to make notes relative to your planned application.




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A2LA’s First President, John William Locke, Dies at 91

With great sadness, The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) shared the passing of founding member and first president, John William Locke, at the age of 91.




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Takayuki Ito Elected President of The International Federation of Robotics

Jane Heffner appointed as vice president of IFR.




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Nine Reasons to Hire Outside Expertise When Putting a New Measurement Tool In Place

3D measurement tools offer incredibly precise and accurate measurements. However, using them correctly requires specialized knowledge, and integrating them into current processes can be quite complex.




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The President Barack Obama Lithograph

The President Barack Obama Lithograph by Thomas Blackshear II is a(n) Limited Edition. The Edition is Limited to Limited Edition of 6000 pcs




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Maplesoft President and CEO Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Waterloo

James Cooper Recognized for Enhancing Quality of Education and for Outstanding Contributions to the Discipline of Engineering Waterloo, Canada; November 08, 2016: Maplesoft™ announced that James (Jim) Cooper, its president and CEO, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Waterloo (UW). The University presented Cooper with a Doctor of Engineering degree at a recent graduation ceremony held at the university.




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Maplesoft President and CEO Receives Honorary Doctorate from the University of Waterloo

Maplesoft announced that James (Jim) Cooper, its president and CEO, has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Waterloo (UW). The University presented Cooper with a Doctor of Engineering degree at a recent graduation ceremony held at the university.




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Pandemic Drives Era of Residential IAQ Awareness

The global pandemic caused many people to reevaluate how they had been living their lives, and when it came to life at home, indoor air quality (IAQ) became a top priority.




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Trane to Adjust Prices on Residential HVAC Equipment

The residential division at Trane Technologies announced that some prices will go up by as much as 5% while others will decrease or remain unchanged. The adjustments take effect in January.




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Lennox to Increase Prices on Residential Equipment

Lennox Industries plans to increase prices on residential equipment and accessories by up to 10% beginning Monday, Feb. 5.





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Humidification Control Is Critical in Residential, Commercial Settings

Humidity control makes up an important facet of indoor air quality, a facet that includes reducing airborne viruses but extends far beyond it.




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Dehumidifiers Provide a Solution to Residential, Commercial Indoor Air Quality Issues

Following are several of the latest dehumidification products on the market, representing residential and industrial applications alike.




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Moisture Solutions for Residential Heat Pumps

To provide optimal comfort, contractors must not only reduce the temperature of the air, they must remove some of the humidity from the air as well.




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Johnson Controls to Sell Residential HVAC Business to Bosch

JCI CEO plans transformation to ‘simpler, higher-growth company’




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Key Considerations When Transitioning to Eco-Friendly Electric Boilers

Consulting with an expert can streamline the conversion to electric boilers while reducing total project cost and maximizing system reliability.




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Aquatherm Pipe Brings Comfort to Condominium Residents

“We put together some sections of 2 ½-inch pipe, and Joe tried to drive a nail through them with a hammer. I remember him reporting back and saying, ‘This is not your typical plastic.’”




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9 Methods for Installing Residential and Commercial Radiant

With multiple methods offering their own unique advantages, it’s important to be familiarized with the relevant radiant installation method to ensure a job well done.




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How Will the Presidential Election Impact HVAC Tax Incentives?

A change in the balance of power in Washington, D.C., and a desire to extend Trump-era tax cuts, could derail parts of the Inflation Reduction Act.




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Harris Companies Appoints Michel Michno as President of Construction

Harris Companies, a leading national mechanical contractor with several locations across the country, has announced the appointment of Michel Michno as the company’s new president of construction. Michno has more than 30 years of construction industry experience.




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OSHA Confined Spaces Rule Has Limited Application in Residential HVAC

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Confined Spaces in Construction final rule, issued May 4, 2015, created confusion in the HVAC industry. ACCA announced that, after months of negotiations with OSHA, an agreement clarifies that the rule has very limited application in the residential HVAC industry.




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Residential HVAC Equipment Designed With Contractors in Mind

Lennox’s SL280NV Ultra Low NOX gas furnace was built to address a market need in the South Coast and San Joaquin air quality districts in California, which require the reduction of emissions to 14 nanograms of NOX per joule.




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Hoshizaki Names McDowell President

Hoshizaki America Inc. announced the appointment of James McDowell as president




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Set Outside Airflow with Fan Law Two

With two airside measurements and a little math, you can test and even adjust an outside air duct in a few minutes.




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RectorSeal Products Fight Refrigeration Leaks and Corrosion — Inside and Out

At the AHR Expo, RectorSeal LLC highlighted several new products designed to combat leaks and corrosion, both on the inside of the unit and from salty sea breezes on the coast.




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Residential Cooling Showcase 2022

The NEWS introduces the latest cooling equipment available for summer 2022.




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Heat Pumps Dominate Residential Cooling Scene at AHR

In the realm of residential cooling, two trends popped out at the 2023 AHR Expo: the new federal tax credits and heat pumps.




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Residential Cooling Showcase 2023

In this showcase, The ACHR NEWS will introduce the newest cooling products that will help meet customer needs.




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D.C. Residents Petition for Cooler Apartments

Renters who can’t turn on the a/c want to change mandates that don’t require cooling until May 15.